Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By BRYAN HELLIOS
Bessemer — The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved a contract for an ambulance service for Watersmeet Township during the board’s Wednesday evening meeting.
For the period from April 1 through Dec. 31 of this year, ambulance services will be provided by Aspirus Medevac for Watersmeet Township for $43,125, according to the contract.
At a Finance, Budgeting and Auditing Committee meeting held prior to the general meeting, a lengthy discussion ensued about where the funds would come from to finance the expanded ambulance service across the county before millage funds become available. The county’s obligation is $93,000 per quarter.
Board member Joe Bonovetz expressed hesitation about borrowing the money to cover the ambulance proposal. He said the fees associated funding the ambulance service would be avoided if the county could borrow the money from internal sources.
“If we took $300,000 from Forestry and $125,000 from DTRF (Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund), we could cover the cost for the one year and be done with it,” said Bonovetz. “Next January or February, money will be coming in to pay for next year.”
He said in the event there was an emergency within the Forestry Department, the county would have to replace the money.
Board member Jim Lorenson said taking the money from the Forestry Department could leave the county “cash-strapped.”
Board member Tom Laabs said borrowing money through a tax anticipation note will cost the county approximately $11,000 for a $225,000 loan.
Laabs said although he initially supported borrowing the money externaly, he believes if the county would borrow money internally, the county would have to replace those funds to the Forestry Department.
“If we are going to have to pay it back one way,” he said. “Why would we not have to pay it back for the other.”
The committee resolved to borrow the money internally, but seek outside funds if they become necessary.
County Board Chairman Dan Siirila said taking money from other county department budgets is “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”
In other business, the board:
—Heard a presentation from IT Director Brandon Tauer regarding the county’s new website.
Approved a contract between the board and Michigan Department of Transportation to facilitate aircraft rescue and fire fighting training using a mobile fire training unit.
Received a letter from Emergency Management Director James Loeper announcing his retirement on April 30.
Re-appointed the current Community Mental Health Authority Board members Robert Lynn, Kenneth Wegmeyer, Margret Rayner and Donald Pezzetti. The terms are for three years.